Marque set to lose CCD rebates

Suzuki New Zealand is ruing that none of its models will be entitled to a rebate once changes to the clean car discount (CCD) come into effect from July, which it says seems “out of kilter” with the intent of the scheme.

Gary Collins, automotive general manager, told the NBR the marque’s model range has one of the lowest overall levels of emissions, but any discounts will vanish when rebates start applying only to vehicles producing 100g or less of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kilometre.

The changes to the feebates scheme will see 12 of Suzuki’s compact cars and SUVs across the Swift, Ignis and Baleno ranges that currently attract a rebate fall into the neutral band and attract neither a fee nor a discount.

Collins explains to the NBR that other models it offers will attract a fee on top of the recommended retail price under the new measures.

“Suzuki has had some good benefits from this programme up until this stage,” he says.

Noah Robertson, Opel New Zealand’s commercial manager, says the looming changes to limit which passenger vehicles will be able to claim a rebate when first registered in this country will create a “fairer” playing field.

“The current rebate scheme has rewarded lots of hybrids in New Zealand that aren’t actually that efficient,” he told the NBR. “Some of them are less efficient than our petrol engines.”

He notes that while there are no plans to increase prices as the CCD thresholds shift, the net cost to consumers for some vehicles will increase because they will no longer attract a rebate.

Robertson says the government’s clean car programme has also helped brands to expand to New Zealand, with Opel rejoining the market in 2022.

“Existing EVs and LEVs [low-emission vehicles] became considerably more affordable following the scheme’s introduction, but more importantly, new makes and models entered our market, just like Opel – some with lower costs than ever anticipated – giving more choice across a broader price range of new cars,” he told Stuff.

Opel's full line-up in New Zealand currently receives rebates, but this won't be the case from July with only its Mokka-e and Corsa-e retaining discounts under the new settings.

Industry figures also predict the CCD revamp will prompt fleet buyers to target battery electric vehicles instead of hybrids, which will no longer be eligible for rebates, and internal combustion engine vehicles, which will become more expensive.